Solar Charge Controller
Looking at solar and seeing different options for controllers. What's the difference between PWM and MPPT?
Forum Discussion
I seem to have a problem with my 120 watt portable:
http://www.amazon.com/Infomon-Monocrystallline-Portable-Folding-Solar/dp/B005WMD8VY/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
I've had it 2 years & only used it a few times. I was getting up to the 6 amps it puts out, but now I'm only getting up to 3 amps.
It has this cheap controller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-Charge-Controller-Overloading-Short-circuit-Reverse-Discharging-Protection-/300916227986?tfrom=301218792237&tpos=top&ttype=coupon&talgo=undefined
This year I did install a quick disconnect plug to the battery through the box for easy plug in. That 1 foot short wire is 18 ga.
The 2 wires I used before came with the panel are 18 gauge. 1 is 15 foot long with clamps for the hookup. The other is a 25' extension with the quick disconnect plugs. I just put together a 10 gauge wire 22' foot long with the quick disconnects. All 3 wire hookups give me only up to 3 amps, even the clamps direct to the battery. Yesterday I checked the panels Open Current Voltage & it was over 20 volts even through the 25' extension. It's rated at 21.8 I could not get my multimeter to work checking the Short Circuit Current amps. (I'm a novice with it). It's rated at 7.3. I did clean the panel, no change.
Today I hope to check the SCC amps with the multimeter, and cover one of the panel sides to see if either is not connected properly. Any other ideas?
http://www.amazon.com/Infomon-Monocrystallline-Portable-Folding-Solar/dp/B005WMD8VY/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
I've had it 2 years & only used it a few times. I was getting up to the 6 amps it puts out, but now I'm only getting up to 3 amps.
It has this cheap controller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-Charge-Controller-Overloading-Short-circuit-Reverse-Discharging-Protection-/300916227986?tfrom=301218792237&tpos=top&ttype=coupon&talgo=undefined
This year I did install a quick disconnect plug to the battery through the box for easy plug in. That 1 foot short wire is 18 ga.
The 2 wires I used before came with the panel are 18 gauge. 1 is 15 foot long with clamps for the hookup. The other is a 25' extension with the quick disconnect plugs. I just put together a 10 gauge wire 22' foot long with the quick disconnects. All 3 wire hookups give me only up to 3 amps, even the clamps direct to the battery. Yesterday I checked the panels Open Current Voltage & it was over 20 volts even through the 25' extension. It's rated at 21.8 I could not get my multimeter to work checking the Short Circuit Current amps. (I'm a novice with it). It's rated at 7.3. I did clean the panel, no change.
Today I hope to check the SCC amps with the multimeter, and cover one of the panel sides to see if either is not connected properly. Any other ideas?
